Switch



UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

. JAMES M BROWN, or r-irrsnonen, 'rENnsYLvANIA, Assisivon r WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC &.MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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Specification of a ia-Seam; Patented Feb. '24, .1920.

Application filed November 19, 1917. Serial No. 202,843.

that shall be simple in construction, efiicient in operation and that shall occupy a minimum amount of space.

In practising my invention, 1 provide, in a switch of the drum type, a cylindrical casing for the same that is eccentrically disposed with respect to the drum shaft, thereby permitting the use of a relatively smaller cylinder than would otherwise be possible.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side view, partially in section and pain tially in elevation, of a switch embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the mounting panel and operating handle removed.

A switch 1, for mounting on a switchboard panel 2 or other suitable structure, comprises a shaft 3 having an actuating handle 6 at one end and an enlarged insulated portion a upon which contact members 5 are mounted. A cylindrical casing 7 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the shaft 3 and comprises a relatively large segment .8, a relatively small segment 9 and two circular flanged end members 10 and 11 to which the cylinder is rigidly secured by screws 17. The casing 7 is secured to one side of the panel 2 by means of bolts 12 that extend from the end member 10, through an opening 13 in the panel, to a plate 14: on the opposite side of the same. The casing 7 is conveniently formedby cutting an iniv tially homogeneous cylinder, preferably of micarta or other insulating material, longitudinally to provide a rigid and durable structure. By reason of the eccentric positioning of the shaft 3 in the casing 7 a rela- -tively large space 15 is provided in the cylinder and on one side of the shaft for the reception of stationary contact members 16 that are secured to the segment 8 and are adapted to engage the contact members 5. Bean readily be seen that, while a certain radial distance is necessary at the point on the casing 7 at which the stationary contact members 16 are mounted, it is only necessary to have a sufficient space diametrically opposite this point and between the casing wall and the shaft to permit of the turning of the contact members 5, a switch structure being thus provided that mimmizes both material and space.

The segment 8 is made of greater peripheral width than the segment 9 to provide a substantial supporting means for the contact members 16, its greater peripheral engagement of the end members 10 and 11, together with two sets of the screws 17, further lending rigidity. The segment 9, acting as a cover plate, is held in position by one set of the screws 17, removal of which permits a ready inspection of the switch parts.

While I have shown and described a particular form of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the same, asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch, the combination with cooperating movable and stationary contact members, of a cylindrical casing comprising side-wall members, the main body portions of which are of different peripheral widths. 2. In a. switch, the combination with C0- operating movable and stationary contact members, of acylindrical casing comprising two segments of different widths the greater of which provides support for the stationary contact members.

3. A switch casing comprising two longitudinal side portions occupying different widths on the outer transverse perimeter of the casing, means for supporting the same, and a switch member supported on one of said portions. I

4. A switch comprising a cylindrical casing having its side walls divided into two portions of different peripheral widths, a

longitudinally disposed eccentric shaft in the casing and adjacent the smaller wall portion, contact members mounted on the shaft and contact members on the larger wall portion for engaging the contact members on theshaft. V V

5. In a switch, the combination with a movable shaft having contact members thereon, of a cylindrical casing parallel to the shalt and having its side walls divided into portions of different peripheral Widths and stationary contact members disposed on one of said portions. 7

6. In a switch, the combination with a movable shaft having acontact member thereonyand a stationary cooperating contact member therefor,'0f a cylindrical casing of minimum. diameter closely disposedin parallel and eccentric relation with respect to the shaft to provide aminimum total transverse area occupied by said con tact members and said casing.

In testimony whereof I'have hereunto subscribedmy name this 29th day of Oct. 1917.

JAMES M. BROWN. 

